This Budget Lodge Safari takes you on an authentic bush adventure through top wildreness areas in Botswana and Namibia, starting and ending at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

First, we travel to the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, game viewing in Mudumu and Mahango game reserves and stopping at Poppa Falls. Then this Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari explores Botswana's top wildlife gem - the Okavango Delta, on mokoro canoe and motorboat excursions. Moving on, we go game viewing in the scenic Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai River Area. After experiencing the magical delta region, we visit the open Makgadikgadi Pans, before embarking on game drives and a sunset boat cruise in the game-rich Chobe Park.

This Accommodated Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe Safari offers a real African wildlife and wilderness experience at a great price!.

Responsible Travel Note

During this trip you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants and any other tourist operation putting travellers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.

We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.

Day 1: Caprivi Strip, Namibia

This Budget Botswana, Namibia & Zambia Lodge Safari starts at 09h00 with a full tour briefing from your safari guide in Victoria Falls.

After the tour briefing in Victoria Falls we travel west crossing the border into Namibia near the town of Katima Mulilo, stopping in town for lunch. Then we continue our drive into the Caprivi Strip region of Namibia to our first overnight stay at Camp Kwando (or similar). The safari lodge overlooks Kwando River, a tributary of the Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia.

Day 2: Caprivi Strip, Namibia

In the morning after an early breakfast we embark on an exciting game drive in Mudumu Game Reserve, a lush national park covering riverine forest, dense savannah and mopane woodland in eastern Caprivi. Muduma's waterways are home to spotted neck otter, hippo, tigerfish and crocodile. The watery park is a birding paradise attracting around 430 bird species, as well as various antelope species, including rare sitatunga and red lechwe antelopes. Other larger game including burchell's zebra, buffalo, elephant, lion, impala, kudu and buck also inhabit Muduma Park.

Back at the lodge we have lunch, followed by down time to relax and take a nap at camp. In the afternoon we embark on a boat cruise along the Kwando River, enjoying the lovely scenery and looking out for birds and other creatures.

Returning to the lodge you have free time to have a drink before a hearty dinner. At the end of an exciting day in the African wilds you fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Okavango Delta,Botswana

We rise early for the next stretch of our journey continuing west along the Caprivi Strip of Namibia until we reach the Poppa Falls along the Kavango River. Arriving at Poppa Falls we explore the area on foot getting a closer look at the Falls. Poppa Falls consists of the last set of rapids on the Okavango River in Namibia, before it flows into Botswana's Delta region.

Next we continue into Mahango Game Reserve, situated on the flood plains of the Kavango River, just before it enters Botswana. This scenic game reserve offers excellent sightings of red lechwe, sitatunga and roan antelopes, and is also known for its ancient, towering baobab trees. In the diverse Mahango Reserve we also look out for elephant, hippo and buffalo along with predators such as lion, leopard, wild dogs and cheetah.

After game viewing in Mahango Park we cross into Botswana and continue south, stopping briefly at the border en route to the Okavango Delta. We spend the next two nights at Nxamasere (or similar), in the Okavango Delta Panhandle area of northern Botswana. Here we have the chance to explore the Okavango Delta, Botswana's wildlife gem and the world's largest inland delta, admiring the beauty of this intricate wetland system.

Day 4: Okavango Delta, Botswana

Early in the morning, we enjoy a motorboat cruise through the papyrus-lined channels of the Okavango Delta making our way to a mokoro station. Mekoros are traditional dugout canoes that have been used by the Bayeyi River Bushmen to negotiate the intricate pathways of this unique wetland for centuries. This delta day trip gives you the chance to encounter an abundance of bird species and even wild animals as you explore one of the most wild places in the world. On the delta mokoro excursion we get to view game from a new perspective and soak up the tranquillity of the beautiful African Bush.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Maun, Botswana

Leaving the pristine Okavango Delta we keep driving south in our minibus to Maun, our next safari stopover. Arriving in Maun at midday you can shop for curios, supplies and drinks, before continuing to our comforatble lodge just outside of Maun.

In the afternoon you have the option of taking a scenic game flight over the Okavango Delta. This unforgettable Okavango Delta flight provides sweeping aerial views of the unique wetland system and its roaming wildlife, including elephants, hippos, buffalos and giraffes.

Okavango Delta to Maun: 290 km / 4 to 5 hours

Breakfast & Dinner

Days 6 - 7: Khwai River area, Botswana

From Maun we travel to the Khwai River area, bordering on Moremi Game Reserve, one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Botswana.

We spend the next two days of this Budget Lodge Safari exploring the Moremi Reserve on game drives in search of the impressive array of wild animals and prolific birdlife found in this beautiful wilderness park. Moremi is considered one of the most scenic game reserves in Africa covering the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, hosting mopane woodland and acacia forests along with watery floodplains and lagoons. Moremi Reserve covers diverse habitats ranging from swamp and woodlands to arid areas.

Moremi is home to elephants, especially numerous during the dry season, as well as buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena and jackal. A wide variety of antelope species, including the rare red lechwe, are also found in Moremi, along with healthy populations of endangered African wild dog. During our stay near Moremi Reserve we embark on game drives in the early mornings at sunrise and again in the late afternoons at sunset. Our early morning game drives are followed by lunch and a rest back at the guesthouse.

Accommodation will be at a guest house in the small rural village of Khwai, close to the north-eastern border of Moremi Game Reserve.

Maun to Khwai: 160 km / About 5 hours (including Game Drive)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Nata, Botswana

Today we get an early start making our way back towards Maun and then on to Nata, on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Along the way we pass through the changing landscapes of Botswana, moving from green wetlands to arid saltpans.

We stop for lunch along the way, arriving at our lodge in Nata late in the afternoon.

Khwai to Nata: 480 km / 7 to 8 hours (including stop in town)

Breakfast & Dinner

Days 9 - 10: Kasane, comfortable lodge - Botswana

In the morning we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary to view the expansive Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest saltflats in the world. Huge flocks of flamingoes and pelicans congregate on the pans of Nata to feed and nest at certain times of the year, forming a remarkable sea of birds.

Departing from Nata we head north to Kasane, a town on the edge of Chobe National Park, one of the leading game parks in Botswana. We spend two nights near Kasane, exploring the northern parts of game-rich Chobe. This afternoon there is time for you to explore the lively town of Kasane, a well-known tourist hub.

The Chobe River flows through Chobe Park all year round attracting numerous wild animals, including antelopes, buffalos and hippos, as well as plenty of birds such as African Fish Eagles. Large herds of elephants are frequently seen along Chobe River, the main source of water in Chobe Park. The high density of herbivores in turn attracts many predators including lions and leopards, which can be seen in the reserve too.

We stay at a comfortable lodge in Kasane, from where you will embark on an early morning game drive into Chobe Park and experience a relaxing sunset river cruise on the Chobe River in the afternoon.

Nata to Kasane: 320 km / 3 to 4 hours

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11 - 12: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Today we cross to Victoria Falls (visa required), where we spend the last night of our safari at a comfortable lodge.

In the afternoon you have time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. Witnessing Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as 'The Smoke that Thunders' is an unforgettable experience! You can also explore Victoria Falls, shop for curios and enjoy optional adventure activities that your guide will be happy to arrange for you.

On the last night dinner will be at your own expense at the safari lodge or a restaurant in Vic Falls. The Budget Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari officially ends at 08h00 on Day 12 in Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls Adventure Activities:

Zambezi River white water rafting

Helicopter/micro light flips over Vic Falls

River cruises on the Zambezi

Canoeing on the Zambezi

Bungee jumping

Jet boating

Cultural village tour

Horse trails

Please note:

This Botswana Lodge Safari starts at 09h00 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, should you require assistance with pre-tour arrangements, such as accommodation and transfers from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Kasane (Botswana) contact African Budget Safaris.

We recommend an extra day or two after the wildlife safari in Victoria Falls to participate in some of the amazing adventure activities available. Post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane in Botswana, can be arranged with us at an additional cost.

Tour Transport:

Transport on this Budget African Lodge Safari is in an air-conditioned minibus and on certain game drives custom-built game viewing vehicles designed for safari trips in the African bush are used. Each vehicle carries up to 10 passengers, ensuring excellent visibility on game viewing drives, as well as great mobility in the wilderness.

This itinerary description is for the 2019 tour departures.

If you would like a 2018 departure, we will clarify any variations in the itinerary before you book. Get in touch today for details.

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